The Stanford Cardinal were supposed to receiver their first test of the year on Saturday, but instead steamrolled the Washington Huskies in a 65-21 win. After a close first quarter -- Stanford led 10-0 -- the Cardinals stepped on the gas and never looked back, piling up the points while clamping down on the Huskies.
Stanford rushed for a jaw-dropping 446 yards on the night, with Andrew Luck having to do little in the passing game as the Cardinal rolled. Stepfan Taylor and Taylor Gaffney each scored a touchdown and were over 100 yards on the night, with both averaging over 13 yards per carry. Anthony Wilkerson rushed for 93 yards, just missing the century mark, as well.
Andrew Luck was efficient, as usual, completing 16 of 21 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns, both of which came in short yardage situations. With the running game clicking, Luck was able to simply turn and hand the ball off, letting the Cardinal's power formations do much of the work against a Washington defense that couldn't match up to the physicality.
Chris Polk was a bright spot for the Huskies, however. Polk carried the ball 15 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Both of his touchdowns came on long runs -- a 61-yarder and a 46-yarder.
But it wasn't enough as Stanford came out and dominated again. At this point, the Cardinal and Oregon Ducks look to be on a collision course in a huge game for the Pac-12 North crown.
For further reading, news, discussion and more, visit Stanford blog Rule Of Tree and Washington blog UW Dawg Pound. Here’s this week’s college football TV schedule, and stay tuned to SB Nation’s college football news hub for more.